“Those demons look…scared,” she murmured.
He cut them a cursory glance. “They are. They recall the last time one of them dared to claim my mate.”
Oh, right. Kira remembered what the demon in the courtyard had said about the death fight. As they neared the huge black door at the end of the corridor, she inhaled another shaky breath. She was about to meet her father—the demon. Oh, God. Her stomach twisted in pure panic.
Riley pushed open the door into a vast, study-slash-library room and waited for her to enter. The slightly musty smell of ancient tomes, aged leather, along with a hint of sulfur teased her nose. Old book crammed the floor-to-ceiling shelves on the opposite wall, and adjacent to it stood a long table covered with several opened scrolls.
Kira stumbled to a halt as a tall man…er, demon, with aristocratic features and a military-type bearing looked up from reading a parchment.
He was good-looking but in a cold, deadly sort of way. Magnetic, neon-green eyes swept over her in an assessing manner before trapping her gaze. A shudder swept through her.
As if sensing her nervousness, Riley put a hand on her back and escorted her to a black couch near a shelf thick with scrolls and parchments. But she didn’t sit, too aware ofhimwatching her.
“I quite admire your handiwork with Nicor.” His voice was deep, compelling.
No matter the rope of dread coiling around her like a boa, the words refused to stay back. “He deserved it.”
The demon dropped the scroll on the table and chuckled. The icy hew of his lean, tan face reformed into one of incredible handsomeness.
Riley leaned against the table adjacent to her. “Kira? This is our sire, Wrath.”
“So. It appears that you’d rather be thought of as dead than meet me?”
His calm tone crushed her fear as old hurt resurfaced. “You ignored me all my life, and then suddenly decide you want me back? Why now?”
“The mortal realm was the safest place for you as your brother will attest, even if he didn’t approve of my methods. But I had my reasons.” Wrath’s boots barely made a sound as he strolled closer, stopping a few feet from her. His expression didn’t soften an inch. Man, he was such a cold fish.
“I wanted you here before whatever abilities you’ve inherited start to unravel on your twenty-fifth year of birth and they draw my enemies’ notice. However, I find it odd that it’s already begun sinceIbound your identity to keep you safe…” He folded his arms over his black, linen-clad chest and surveyed her thoughtfully, the soft lights on the walls highlighting the various shades of gold interwoven into his bronze hair. “Unless, of course, you’ve crossed paths or already met your true mate.”
Her heart bumped hard in her chest.Týr?
Happiness surged and then died just as fast.
Kira bit her lip. How could she tell her newly found parent just how much Týr hated his species, one that was hers now, too? Then what he said had her breath cementing in her throat.Recently?“You meanNicor?”
Cool, neon-green eyes held hers. “Unless it’s an anomaly. In my experience, finding one’s true mate is what negates a binding. And yoursisunraveling.”
“No.” She started shaking her head at the implication, her stomach roiling. “I’m not mating him. I won’t!” Nausea rushed up her throat. She slapped a hand to her mouth and stumbled. Riley grabbed her arm and hurried her out of the room to a bathroom. She fell to her knees and vomited the water she’d had earlier into the toilet. Tears leaking down her face, Kira sat there, eyes shut. She worried about Týr findinghisdestined mate, but she’d never thought that she would be the one to actually fall into that trap.
Water gushed. Riley hunkered down before her, holding out a glass. “Here.”
She took the crystal with a shaky hand and gulped some liquid. Her vision blurry, she looked up at her brother. “I can’t be Nicor’s mate—”
“You don’t have to mate him. Just don’t engage his attention in any way,” he said, his expression gentle with understanding. “It will only cause the bond to grow if he is your true mate, regardless of what stands in your way. And, remember, Kira, in this world, things work differently when it comes to males claiming their consorts. Don’t accept anyone’s invitation to dine in the great hall during evening meals. If you do, it’ll be a proclamation that you are their intended, and a decree you’ll have to abide by. Demon laws are harsh. Wrath or I will accompany you to any meals. Or you can take your repast in your chambers.”
His voice softened. “This will be over soon.”
Over? When it had barely begun? She set the glass on the floor beside her. “Will Nicor know what I am to him?”
He frowned. “Not until your concealment binding has unraveled completely. If Nicor is indeed the one, then, yes.”
Okay-okay. Staying far away from that cretin.
“C’mon.” Riley helped her off the floor. “Let me take you back to your chambers.”
Kira wiped her sweaty palms on her skirt and followed Riley into the study. Wrath looked up from reading another document, those neon-green eyes glowing as if he saw into her soul. “Rest, daughter. I’ll see you later.”
With only thoughts to escape from there, she gave him a quick nod and hurried out with Riley.
